How to Make a Milkmaid Costume

A milkmaid costume is great for many different events.

A milkmaid costume is a relatively easy-to-create outfit of an old-fashioned dairy girl. It can be appropriate for all ages and many occasions such as Halloween costume parties, county or medieval fairs and school events. The costume can be sweet and utilitarian or short and sexy. The occasion you're wearing the costume for will determine the style and modesty of the outfit; milkmaid costumes all have the same basic elements, regardless of the overall effect.

Things You'll Need

• Mop hat or white fabric and string
• White apron
• Dress
• Tights or knee socks
• Shoes
• Shawl
• Pail

Instructions

1. 

   A long, full skirt will look very traditional

   Select a dress with sleeves to wear as the basis for the costume. Choose one with a longer, fuller skirt for a more traditional look or a shorter one for a sexier look; milkmaid dresses are usually bright and cheerful colors such as royal blue, grass green or crimson. Rolling up the sleeves if they are long makes it appear as if you've been hard at work milking the cows.

2. 

   Any white apron will work for the costume.

   Wear a white apron over the dress; the apron can be any color, but white will look the most traditional. Avoid aprons that have writing, pictures or logos on them.

3. 

   The mop hat is a common old-fashioned style

   Add a mop hat as the accessory for your head; you can buy one at a costume shop, or make one yourself with a large circle of white fabric and string. See the first resource for one idea on how to make your own hat.

4. 

   Knee socks are a cute accent for the milkmaid costume

   Wear tights or knee socks; knee socks will look especially cute if your skirt is knee-length or shorter, but tights are good if the weather is colder.

5. 

   Shoes such as Mary Janes are perfect for the milkmaid costume.

   Choose a pair of shoes that look good with the rest of the costume; almost any style will do, including mary-janes, ballet slippers, granny boots, clogs, or plain sneakers.

6. 

   A metal pail will complete your costume.

   Place a shawl around your shoulders -- an especially good idea if the weather is colder. Grab your milking pail and you're ready!

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't find a mop hat and don't want to make one, you can also do your hair in the "milkmaid" braids style. See the second resource for instructions.

• A short-sleeved blouse tucked in to a fuller skirt is a good alternative if no suitable dress is available.

References

• Webster's Online Dictionary: Milkmaid

Resources

• Making a Mop Hat Video
• Milkmaid Braids Hairdo Video